Pence enters 2024 presidential race.

Vice President Mike Pence has officially thrown his hat into the ring for the 2024 GOP presidential primary, setting up a showdown with former President Donald Trump.

Despite the growing field of candidates, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, Pence has long been expected to enter the race. He will formally announce his candidacy on May 7.

“President Trump was wrong,” Pence said of the Jan. 6 Capitol breach. “I had no right to overturn the election. And [Trump’s] reckless words endangered my family and everyone at the Capitol that day, and I know history will hold Donald Trump accountable.”

Despite serving as Trump’s vice president, Pence has distanced himself from the former president and set himself up as an anti-populist seeking a return to the pre-Trump Republican Party. He has called on conservatives to reject the “siren song of populism.”

Competing for the Nomination

• Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis
• Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.)
• Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley

As the race heats up, it will be interesting to see how Pence’s anti-populist stance plays out against the other candidates.